A long-standing flea market in Lakewood is likely coming to an end this year after the owners said saying their lease won’t be renewed.

Owners of the Route 70 flea market, Nikki, Adam, and Reece, posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying their lease won't be renewed.

The market began 40 years ago with just a few dozen tables and grew to one of the busiest markets at the shore. For years, the aisles were packed with merchants on weekends, selling a little bit of everything.

But like many other areas in the township of Lakewood, new homes will likely take the place of the open market in the future.

According to the owners, the flea market will continue to operate until the end of the year.

The owners unceremoniously found out about the lease not being renewed by reading about it in the local newspaper. 

In their Facebook post, the owners say, “We have enjoyed our 40-year run in Lakewood and we are glad that we were able to get this 40 season in so that we could celebrate that with the community. If any town in Ocean County would like to keep this community destination alive, we would love to hear from you."

Rumors of developing the land have circulated for years.

Several published reports say 166 townhomes will eventually replace the space at the market.